HSBC Bank Code Hong Kong: SWIFT, Clearing & Branch Codes

HSBC has two codes used for different types of transfers:

Code	Value	Use for
Clearing code (bank code)	004	Domestic HK transfers — FPS, CHATS, internet banking
SWIFT/BIC code	HSBCHKHHHKH	International wires from a bank outside Hong Kong

Full bank name: Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation Limited. Head office: 1 Queen's Road, Central, Hong Kong. Hong Kong does not use IBAN.

Clearing Code vs. SWIFT Code: Which One Do You Need?

This is where most people run into trouble. The two codes look unrelated, serve different networks, and cannot substitute for each other — using the wrong one will cause the payment to fail or get held.

Code	Value	Network
Clearing code	004	HKICL domestic interbank network — FPS, CHATS, online banking within HK
SWIFT/BIC code	HSBCHKHHHKH	Global SWIFT network — international wires from overseas banks
Branch code	3 digits (varies)	Identifies the specific HSBC branch; used alongside the clearing code for domestic routing

A practical example: a supplier in Germany wiring HKD to your HSBC account needs HSBCHKHHHKH, not 004. A Hong Kong resident paying rent via FPS needs 004, not the SWIFT code. The SWIFT code is only relevant when money crosses a national border through the SWIFT banking system.

One more thing on the SWIFT code: HSBCHKHH (8 characters) and HSBCHKHHHKH (11 characters) both route to HSBC Hong Kong's head office — the 11-character version adds the branch identifier HKH. Use HSBCHKHHHKH for precision.

How Hong Kong Bank Account Numbers Are Structured

Hong Kong doesn't use IBAN. A full HK account number is made up of three parts, written as a single string or separated by hyphens:

Part	Length	Example (HSBC)	What it identifies
Bank code	3 digits	004	The bank — HSBC
Branch code	3 digits	e.g. 001	The specific branch where the account is held
Account number	6–9 digits (varies)	e.g. 123456	The individual account

When filling in a domestic transfer form in Hong Kong, you'll typically enter these three parts separately. When providing your account details to an overseas sender, give the full string including all three parts — the SWIFT code routes funds to HSBC HK, and the account number (with branch code prefix) routes to your account internally.

The official source for all HK clearing codes and branch codes is HKICL (hkicl.com.hk), which publishes a downloadable XLSX and PDF updated periodically. The current version is dated 2 November 2026.

Hong Kong Bank Codes: Quick Reference Table

Here are the clearing codes and SWIFT codes for the major banks in Hong Kong. The structure is the same across all of them — 3-digit clearing code for domestic transfers, SWIFT code for international wires. For a broader look at how banking codes work internationally — IBAN, ABA routing numbers, Sort Codes — each country uses a different system entirely.

Bank	Clearing Code	SWIFT/BIC Code
HSBC	004	HSBCHKHHHKH
Standard Chartered (HK)	003	SCBLHKHH
Bank of China (HK)	012	BKCHHKHH
Hang Seng Bank	024	HASEHKHH
DBS Bank (HK)	016	DHBKHKHH
Citibank (HK)	006	CITIHKHX
Bank of East Asia	015	BEASHKHH
ICBC (Asia)	072	ICBKHKHH

Source: HKICL clearing code and branch code list (updated 2 November 2026). Clearing codes are stable across branches; branch codes update periodically — verify at hkicl.com.hk before any high-value transaction.

How to Find Your HSBC Branch Code

The clearing code 004 identifies HSBC as an institution. For domestic transfers, you also need the 3-digit branch code for your specific account. Here's where to find it:

Bank statement or cheque book — the full account number printed there includes the branch code immediately after the bank code.
HSBC HK mobile app — go to Account Details. The app displays the full account string: bank code, branch code, and account number.
HKICL branch code list — download the XLSX from hkicl.com.hk. Filter by bank code 004 and search by branch name or district.
HSBC branch or phone banking — staff can confirm your branch code directly.

For incoming international wires, you don't need to provide the branch code separately to the sender — HSBCHKHHHKH routes funds to HSBC HK, and HSBC handles the rest internally. But always give the sender your complete account number (all three parts). Incomplete account numbers are the most common cause of processing delays on incoming HSBC wires.

How to Send Money to an HSBC Hong Kong Account

International wire from overseas

Provide your bank with:

Bank name: Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation Limited
SWIFT/BIC code: HSBCHKHHHKH
Beneficiary name — exactly as registered with HSBC HK
Full account number — bank code (004) + branch code + account number
Beneficiary address (optional but reduces the chance of compliance holds)

International wires to HSBC HK typically arrive within 1–5 business days. The exact timing depends on the sending country, the number of correspondent banks in the routing chain, and whether AML checks are triggered by incomplete beneficiary information.

Common mistakes that cause failures:

Using HSBCHKHH (8 characters) — always use the full 11-character HSBCHKHHHKH
Providing an account number without the branch code prefix
Entering a made-up IBAN — HK accounts have no IBAN
Mismatched beneficiary name — must match the name on the HSBC account exactly

Domestic HK transfers

For transfers within Hong Kong, FPS is the fastest option for most amounts — enter the recipient's FPS ID (mobile number, email, or FPS identifier), or enter bank code 004 + branch code + account number manually. FPS runs 24/7 with no minimum amount.

For large-value same-day HKD payments — above your FPS daily limit or requiring same-business-day settlement — CHATS (real-time gross settlement) is the appropriate channel. No upper cap on amount, a fee per transaction (typically HKD 50–200), and it operates during business hours only.

Paying to and from Hong Kong Without Manual Code Lookups

For a one-off transfer, looking up a SWIFT code takes five minutes. For businesses that regularly pay suppliers, settle invoices, or collect from overseas clients in HKD, manually sourcing and verifying bank codes before every transfer is a real operational drag — and a source of costly errors. PhotonPay is licensed in Hong Kong as a Money Service Operator and handles routing automatically: enter recipient details once, and the platform identifies the right payment rails.

Local HKD collection — receive HKD directly into PhotonPay Wallet using standard HK banking details; payers don't need to deal with SWIFT on their end.
Send to 200+ countries — PhotonPay Movement validates routing formats automatically per destination country, so you're not sourcing clearing codes before every outbound payment.
Hold and pay in 60+ currencies — manage HKD alongside other currencies in a single multi-currency account without opening separate bank accounts per currency.
B2B payments at business scale — supplier invoices and cross-border settlements above FPS limits route through dedicated B2B payment rails matched to the destination country.
97% of transactions settle in real time — no correspondent bank queues, no business-hours restriction.

Suited for: HK-based importers on regular payment cycles with overseas suppliers; overseas businesses collecting HKD from Hong Kong clients; finance teams eliminating manual bank code errors from their payment workflow.

FAQ

What is HSBC's bank code in Hong Kong?

This is the 3-digit clearing code assigned by HKICL, used to identify HSBC for all domestic HK transfers.

What is the HSBC Hong Kong SWIFT code?

HSBCHKHHHKH. This 11-character SWIFT/BIC code identifies HSBC Hong Kong on the global SWIFT network and is required for international wire transfers from a bank outside Hong Kong. Full bank name: Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation Limited.

Does Hong Kong use IBAN?

No. HK accounts follow a bank code + branch code + account number format. If a payment form requires an IBAN, the platform likely doesn't support HK accounts directly.

Do I need the branch code for an incoming international wire?

Not as a separate field — the SWIFT code routes the funds to HSBC HK. But always include your full account number (which contains the branch code) in the wire instruction. Incomplete account numbers are the most common cause of delays on incoming HSBC wires.

Why did my transfer to HSBC Hong Kong fail?

The most common causes: wrong SWIFT code format (using 8 characters instead of 11), account number missing the branch code prefix, beneficiary name mismatch, or the sending bank flagged the payment for AML review due to incomplete beneficiary details. Contact your sending bank with the rejection code to identify the specific issue.

Where can I find the complete list of Hong Kong bank clearing codes?

HKICL (hkicl.com.hk) publishes the official clearing code and branch code list as a downloadable XLSX and PDF, updated regularly. The current version is dated 2 November 2026.

Disclaimer

The information provided on this Blog is for general informational and reference purposes only. It does not constitute investment, financial, legal or other professional advice, nor does it constitute an offer, invitation, solicitation, inducement or financial promotion in any jurisdiction. We make no representation or warranty, express or implied, as to the completeness, accuracy, truthfulness, timeliness or reliability of the information provided on this Blog. The products, services and features referred to on this Blog may not be available in all countries or regions. Their availability, eligibility and applicable terms are subject to applicable laws and regulations and the information provided on the relevant product or service pages. The information provided on this Blog does not constitute an offer or recommendation of products or services to residents of any specific country or region.